Now, That's Funny

Some of you already know about the Central PA Gazelle, another blog on Blogger. Those who don't, check this out:

http://centralpagazelle.blogspot.com/index.html

This is satire at its best. Whoever the writer is, they have the journalistic style nailed, and some of these entries are hysterically funny. It helps to know the central PA area and some of its newsmakers, and they're not all direct hits, but for instance, here's a quote from the latest entry, in which Gov. Rendell admits to having broken 140 separate laws:

(HARRISBURG) - In response to a Freedom of Information Act request from the Gazelle, Governor Ed Rendell today released a list of local, state and federal laws he has broken during his time in office. The 317-page document seemed to indicate that the governor's recent admissions about speeding were just the tip of the iceberg.Included in the list are several traffic violations Rendell has committed through orders to his state trooper escort, including failure to yield to pedestrians, tailgating and a litany of aggressive driving-related offenses.In addition, Rendell said he once urinated from the top of the reserved section bleachers at a Harrisburg Senators game. "I should note that I was high as a kite at the time, so I guess that's another one," he wrote.

This is funny stuff. Make sure you dig through the earlier entries, like the one in March where Mayor Reed enacts mandatory smoking for all Hbg. employees.

Hail to Thee, our Gold and Blue

Saturday, April 21st, the Just Friends Band continued our tradition of playing for the Bishop McDevitt Blue and Gold Gala at the Hershey Convention Center. This was our fourth appearance at the gala. Thanks to Ellen Miscannon and all those who organized the event. It was elegant and well attended. Highlights included a video retrospective of the history of McDevitt, and performances by the school jazz band, a flute choir and cast members of the upcoming musical, "The Music Man."

We look forward to this event every year as a chance to see old friends and renew acquaintances. Joreen, Gio and I are all McDevitt alumni, and Joreen is a former faculty member. McDevitt alumni and supporters should watch for this event next year. It's worth attending, and for a worthy cause.

Mark was in Rochester at his daughter's wedding, so Andy Alonso of Leghorn helped us out on bass. Andy is a top flight bass player, a veteran of the New York City music scene, a bass instructor and a great guy to play with. Thanks, Andy. Great job.

Just Friends will be appearing next at a private dance at the Colonial Country Club on April 28th. Don't forget about the May 4th Verhovay gig, a rare chance for the public to come and party with us. We play from eight to midnight, and you should get there early if you want a seat. Better yet, just stay on your feet and dance!

The Durable Goods

Friday night was the second outing for the four piece known as The Durable Goods. Readers of this blog will recognize Charlie and Tom from the entry "Rawkin the Basement." This was an opportunity to go out and really let it blast at the brewery. We must have had the levels set perfectly, because we were told to turn it down twice.

I chose the name of this band to evoke not only the four of us, who have all been playing for decades, but for the type of material we choose, songs that have stood the test of time as well as some new tunes and originals of mine which hopefully will fare as well.

Here is Charlie, who facilitated this band by introducing two of his clients, Tom and myself. Charlie is a first-rate accountant and Tom is a first-rate building contractor and, like Joreen and I, they still find time in their lives for music.


Check out the shirt, purchased in the French Quarter.

Thanks to Charlie for getting us the opportunity to play at the Appalachian Brewing Company Friday night. Believe it or not, Brewmaster Artie Tafoya sat in on drums and sounded great. Ed and Grace were there (several of these photos are their fine work) and we generally had a rockin' good time. There's some video which we'll try to get in some viewable shape and share someday.

In the words of the prophet Zappa: Music is the best.

Big Fun on the Bayou

Wellsville, PA, although not that close to New Orleans, was the best place in central PA to hear genuine Cajun music on Saturday night. Joreen, Ed, Grace and I went to hear the Bayou Bandits at the Wellsville Fire Hall. Joreen is a fan of this band from years back, and we're even more into them now that they have a new git-tar player: the one, the only Bill Nork. We've heard him play and sometimes played along with him in Wooden Nickel, that band from Millersville whose name I can't think of, the Pickups, the Fender Twinns, the Johnsons, Dewey and the Decibels, the Avalons and the Gliders, and now you can catch him at the height of his powers, playing the acoustic Martin and the chambered Telecaster in a really unique musical setting.

The Bayou Bandits is a side project of Randy and Brian Harter of Silver City, a band that has played this area for 31 years. Don't be misled, though. The Bandits are a long-standing, very successful band in their own right, having played this area for many, many years, back when Nick's was open on Third Street. This is not a variety band, kids. They play Cajun music. Really good Cajun music. This is dance music, and the folks at this event were dancing up a storm, even though most of us didn't have the slightest idea what they were singing about -- unless the song was "Jet To The Promised Land." Hey, come to think of it, they didn't do "C'est La Vie."

Another unique feature of the band is that they have someone who has more than one button accordion, and he knows exactly what to do with all of them.



This is just a picture of the mirrorball that I took so that I could finally shoot something that was in enough light.

This is a yearly event thrown by a fellow named Kenny, whose last name I never caught, but he is a great guy who loves this music enough to hire a hall, sell tickets (at a very reasonable price), provide pretty high quality snacks and throw a really fine party just so he can dance all night long. He's something to see, I tell you. When this dance comes around next year you should watch for it. I need to thank my friend Tony Bosak (T.J. Homestyle, the best lunch around, 600 Bridge Street, New Cumberland; what are you doing at McDonald's, you schmuck, go eat real food!) for posting the flier in his restaurant that tipped me off to this shindig.

Happy Easter

Not much else to say right now. We're deep in the Triduum, two down, one to go. Tomorrow there will be eggs and candy to make. Today is the day when you walk in the church and there's that eerie sensation of nowhere to genuflect to, that Someone's missing. Tomorrow night, after the consecration, it's such a relief. Oh, there You are! Not to go all Catholic on y'uns, but it really is one of the coolest times of the year, although it's a busy time keeping up with the liturgical music. It also reminds me of the story my Dad tells of the altar boy, the Paschal candle and the Zippo lighter. Remind me to tell you that one sometime.

Something of interest to many of our friends: The Bayou Bandits will be playing in Wellsville PA next Saturday. I don't have much more info than that, and their website is on the fritz for the moment, so I'll get more details about tickets and stuff later. JF is off so we plan on attending. Joreen loves those guys, and did even before Bill joined them.

My Favorite Cartoon

No time for a long post today, but I thought I'd share my favorite cartoon ever. As you can see by the date, it was published in 1991. I laughed my @$$ off the first time I saw it, and 16 years later it still cracks me up.